Caesarstone has issued a statement saying it disagrees with the Australian government’s decision to outlaw engineered stone products.
The company’s position was outlined in a business update dated December 13, in which Caesarstone states that “the safety of Caesarstone’s installed products to its end consumer was never an issue”, and stresses that “the products are safe to fabricate under safe working practices”.
Australia’s work health and safety ministers recently agreed to prohibit the use, supply and manufacture of all engineered stone products containing crystalline silica within the country, which includes Caesarstone’s quartz-based products.
The decision was made following concerns around the long-term health risks associated with the manufacture of the products. The ban is expected to come into effect on July 1, 2024.
In its statement, Caesarstone also said it believes “the focus should be aimed at improving occupational health and safety” – a position it says it has already communicated to the Australian policymakers.
Caesarstone also says it is taking the necessary steps to “ensure supply of alternative materials” to its customers in Australia.
The company predicts that these steps are expected to negatively impact its near-term sales in the Australian market. Caesarstone estimates that Australia’s regional market accounted for around 18% of its revenue in the nine months up to September 2023.
Yos Shiran, chief executive of Caesarstone, said: “The Caesarstone brand is well known in Australia and its products have earned tremendous success over the years. We are already taking steps to supply our Australian market with alternative products while maintaining our strong market presence.”
Recently, the surface brand has also announced the opening of a new studio in Dublin, Ireland, in addition to naming Edward Smith as its new managing director for the UK and Republic of Ireland.